He also suggested that if Newark was turned down, another Essex County location could be feasible.

“As elected leaders, it is our responsibility to promote projects that stimulate economic development, job creation and quality of life, " DiVincenzo's letter read. "We believe the development of a casino in Newark or Essex County is an undertaking that will spur the continued revitalization and strengthen the stability of the County and the state’s largest city. We request that you consider Newark and Essex as a possible location for a casino in Northern New Jersey."

The state already has considered opening a casino in Jersey City and at the Meadowlands. However, DiVincenzo believes that Newark is a better location because of the extensive transportation network that is already established; buses and trains and major highways make it easy for anyone in Northern New Jersey or New York City to reach Newark. In addition, the Newark Light Rail links the city to Newark Penn Station and Newark Liberty International Airport, making it accessible to anyone on the East Coast and internationally.

﻿“A casino also will help continue to transform Newark and Essex County into a destination,” the letter read. “With the Prudential Center, NJPAC, Newark Museum, Symphony Hall and WBGO already established in the Downtown, we already have the cultural infrastructure in place to attract diverse crowds for athletic events, concerts and entertainment shows. In fact, while recently I attended an ice show featuring characters from “Frozen” with my granddaughter at The Prudential Center, it made me feel proud that I was able to enjoy such a high-quality event right here in Newark and Essex County."﻿

DiVincenzo pointed out that in Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware and Maryland, smaller, regionalized casinos have become successful and their locations have become tourist attractions. He believes that casino development in Newark would stimulate economic development, attract new businesses, create construction jobs and permanent casino jobs, and generate a new stream of recurring revenue for the state, county and city in terms of sales tax and property tax.

“The development of a casino most definitely will put people back to work. Despite the economic recovery on Wall Street, Newark and Essex County continue to have among the highest rates of unemployment," DiVincenzo stated. "A project of this magnitude most definitely will create numerous construction jobs, but it will also create hundreds of permanent jobs. Establishing new, recurring streams of revenue will help the city overcome its financial difficulties and contribute to our economic stability,”